Owls no longer flying under the radar

Rice coach David Bailiff, finalist for the Paul "Bear" Bryant college coach of the year award, poses with the trophy Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

Rice coach David Bailiff, finalist for the Paul "Bear" Bryant...

There are different ways to judge progress with a football program.

Rice coach David Bailiff just looks at the schedule.

"Two seasons ago, I can't remember if we were five or six homecoming (opponents), and last year we were none," the eighth-year coach said of the Owls' being the customary easy game on many past schedules. "I noticed people around the league see the improvement."

It's hard not to see what's taking place on South Main.

Rice is coming off its first outright conference title in 56 years, the third 10-win season in school history, and back-to-back bowl appearances.

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"We've talked about being the hardest-working, smartest team in the conference," Bailiff said. "And then the messaging changed to where we expect bowl games. And then it changed where you expect conference championships. We've been on a nice progress … the guys are excited about expectations."

Program on the rise

Those expectations include being among the preseason favorites to contend for another Conference USA title. There also is the additional lure of the new golden ticket - a spot in one of the College Football Playoff's six bowls that goes to the highest ranked champion from one of the non-Power Five leagues.

The Owls enter this season winners of 15 of their last 19 games. Six wins this season would give them 23 over the last three seasons - a school record. The last time Rice finished above .500 in three consecutive seasons was 1961-63.

"We've been on a rise," said defensive tackle Christian Covington, who is on the preseason watch list for a handful of national awards. "That was the collective goal we all had coming to Rice. We've accomplished some great feats, but it just makes us hungrier. Now that we've reached a certain level, we know what is expected of us.

At one point, the Owls were coming off three consecutive losing seasons - 2-10 in 2009 followed by back-to-back 4-8 seasons - that left Bailiff's job security in question. But after 17 victories - matching the best two-year stretch in school history - Bailiff was rewarded with a new five-year contract.

Bailiff credits stability in his coaching staff and players believing in the long-term message for helping turn around the program.

"What (winning a conference title) does is prove we can do it," he said. "It changes your expectation level. Nobody could run a 4-minute mile until it was done. We've proved now we can win conference championships. This is an exciting time for Rice football."

The Owls graduated 19 fifth-year seniors who were the core of last year's conference titlist, among them quarterback Taylor McHargue; 1,200-yard rusher Charles Ross; NFL draft pick Phillip Gaines, one of the top cornerbacks in school history; and record-setting kicker Chris Boswell.

In the past, those types of losses would have set back the program. Now, thanks to inroads in recruiting, the next wave of seniors is ready to take the leadership role. That will allow Bailiff to redshirt most of the incoming freshman class.

"This senior class is one that's not very tolerant of people not coming out and giving their best and not performing to what our standards are," Bailiff said. "It used to be (the coaching staff) continually pushing that message. Now it comes from the senior class."

Jackson takes reins

The Owls will turn over the offense to quarterback Driphus Jackson, who spent the past two seasons as the backup but orchestrated late rallies against Kansas and Air Force in the Armed Forces Bowl. Jordan Taylor is one of C-USA's top receivers, and the Owls will replace Ross with a deep backfield that includes Jowan Davis, Darik Dillard and Luke Turner from the top-ranked rushing attack in the conference.

On defense, the Owls have undergone a revival under coordinator Chris Thurmond, allowing fewer than 20 points six times last season and finishing 30th nationally in total defense. Covington, a legitimate All-America candidate, will anchor the defensive line, and cornerback Bryce Callahan's 11 interceptions are four shy of the school career record.